Revamped NCL Casinos at Sea program benefits

[Andoria]

I mentioned before that I reached Pearl level last cruise. When I finished gambling, I asked the host to waive my service charges and she did. Just so I'm clear, that will no longer be an option?

[Bliss1]

You always ask no matter what level

[gkbiiii]

FYI: Celebrity Cruises has Comped Casino Drinks for Everyone!

"Complimentary Drinks while you Play."

https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/pdf/BCC-Tier-Benefits.pdf

[gkbiiii]

On 3/29/2024 at 7:13 AM, montecarloss said:

Do any other cruise lines offer free drinks in their casinos?  Do other cruise lines have a program similar to CAS?

I quoted before, but Celebrity offers "everyone, all casino players, comped drinks while playing." 

[montecarloss]

Thanks for the info. Going to checkout Celebrity.

[Bliss1]

1 hour ago, montecarloss said:

 

. Free well drinks while actively playing in the casino. For full details, call Blue Chip Club  Yes! All guests who are actively playing in the Casino will be able to enjoy complimentary "well" drinks.

[Always Cruising]

I just lost my wonderful CAS rep - have others lost theirs? 

[smillerholmes]

On 3/21/2024 at 5:05 PM, smillerholmes said:

 

At least you got an email.  I am still waiting for some sort of notification other than CC 😁

 

I am hoping somone will post their experience after April 1 - I am especially interested in those that did not select the FAS package and the mechanics of allowing an upgrade for those that may/may not have realized there has been a change to the program.  Let the chaos begin!

I'm here to report back my experience when boarding the Spirit. I haven't needed to buy the drink package in a long time since previously my Casino drink card met my needs.   At check in I was given my latitude card showing 2UP/3D/UB - I knew that 2UP/3D was for the upgraded meal package that I purchased.  I wasn't too sure about UB.  No explanation was offered so I figured I would head to the Casino for definitive answers.  I spoke with Lei - one of the Casino Hosts.  She looked me up in the computer and determined that since I was Ruby I was eligible for the Unlimited Open Bar even though I had not purchased a drink package with my Free at Sea.  She gave me a packet from a stack that had not been delivered to the rooms yet and it contained my "Ruby" player card.  Internet is basic unlimited 1 device for the entire cruise.  There is however a $3.95 activation fee.  I was also presented with the choice for 300 minutes as part of my free at sea.  And upon arrival ther was a 12-pk of Flow in my room.  No letter about OBC, but I went down to Guest Services and confirmed it is still $400.  

 

Side note - don't know why I didn't put 1 and 1 together, but no gambling in Hawaii.  I knew the Pride of America had no Casino and now I know why.  I'm OK with keeping a little more money in my pocket.

[snorklinbarb]

10 hours ago, Always Cruising said:

I just lost my wonderful CAS rep - have others lost theirs? 

Yes!  While on ship it seemed weird to get an email to her back "undeliverable" so called CAS.  Asked and a rep said, "No longer working here."  

 

Not a newbie....she had many yrs under her belt!

 

 

[goldmom]

54 minutes ago, snorklinbarb said:

Yes!  While on ship it seemed weird to get an email to her back "undeliverable" so called CAS.  Asked and a rep said, "No longer working here."  

 

Not a newbie....she had many yrs under her belt!

 

 

I also lost my rep.  She was really great and always tried to work her "magic" for me on pricing.  I had sent an e-mail, but never heard back and it wasn't even returned.  When I called I was told that she now longer worked there.  I had another male rep for years and when he left I worked with my latest one.  I now have a new rep and she's very nice, but I don't really have a relationship with her yet and she isn't quite as generous.  Although that may just be CAS cutting back as she took time to look up everyone sailing with me to see what she could offer.

If we're allowed to say names they were Alan and Kim.

[Bliss1]

1 hour ago, goldmom said:

I also lost my rep.  She was really great and always tried to work her "magic" for me on pricing.  I had sent an e-mail, but never heard back and it wasn't even returned.  When I called I was told that she now longer worked there.  I had another male rep for years and when he left I worked with my latest one.  I now have a new rep and she's very nice, but I don't really have a relationship with her yet and she isn't quite as generous.  Although that may just be CAS cutting back as she took time to look up everyone sailing with me to see what she could offer.

If we're allowed to say names they were Alan and Kim.

the new program started april 1 2024    it was announced in early march on the site

 

[Always Cruising]

31 minutes ago, Bliss1 said:

the new program started april 1 2024    it was announced in early march on the site

 

I spoke with my rep Kim mid April, so she wasn't fired/let go/terminated before then

[Always Cruising]

2 hours ago, goldmom said:

I also lost my rep.  She was really great and always tried to work her "magic" for me on pricing.  I had sent an e-mail, but never heard back and it wasn't even returned.  When I called I was told that she now longer worked there.  I had another male rep for years and when he left I worked with my latest one.  I now have a new rep and she's very nice, but I don't really have a relationship with her yet and she isn't quite as generous.  Although that may just be CAS cutting back as she took time to look up everyone sailing with me to see what she could offer.

If we're allowed to say names they were Alan and Kim.

I called CAS yesterday and after about 20 min hold time, reached a rep, who told me when pressed that Kim had "left the company."  I asked if I'd been assigned a new person, and she said that whomever answered my call would be my new rep (meaning her).  Doesn't seem like CAS values their loyal customers, and that things are really tightening up.

[BirdTravels]

All of the “old pros” have left/RIF. Only the newbie rookies left who mindless try and follow the rules and not be creative and research every option. Kim’s departure was recent. 

[Red-Sol]

3 hours ago, Always Cruising said:

Doesn't seem like CAS values their loyal customers, and that things are really tightening up.

Yep.

[UKstages]

On 4/25/2024 at 11:22 AM, Always Cruising said:

I spoke with my rep Kim mid April, so she wasn't fired/let go/terminated before then

 

if it's the same "kim" i have spoken to over the years, working out of her home office in arizona, she was indeed a delight. (her last name is the same as the first name of a title character in a dickens novel.)

 

On 4/24/2024 at 9:55 PM, smillerholmes said:

Internet is basic unlimited 1 device for the entire cruise.  There is however a $3.95 activation fee. 

 

were you actually charged this fee? as long as i've been getting a casino sponsored package of minutes, it has always said there was a $3.95 fee. it's baked into the app interface. but i've never been charged. not once.

[goldmom]

1 hour ago, UKstages said:

 

if it's the same "kim" i have spoken to over the years, working out of her home office in arizona, she was indeed a delight. (her last name is the same as the first name of a title character in a dickens novel.)

 

 

 

Yes!  That was her.  She was terrific and sounds like there's a lot of us who will miss her.  She was the one who told me I would still get a drink card for drinks in the Casino which we now know is wrong.  Maybe she just got tired of the cut backs to the programs and being limited as to what she could offer!

[Wvshimmy]

4 hours ago, UKstages said:

 

if it's the same "kim" i have spoken to over the years, working out of her home office in arizona, she was indeed a delight. (her last name is the same as the first name of a title character in a dickens novel.)

 

 

were you actually charged this fee? as long as i've been getting a casino sponsored package of minutes, it has always said there was a $3.95 fee. it's baked into the app interface. but i've never been charged. not once.

Same,  listed, never charged 

[PartyPlannerLady]

On 4/25/2024 at 1:57 PM, BirdTravels said:

All of the “old pros” have left/RIF. Only the newbie rookies left who mindless try and follow the rules and not be creative and research every option. Kim’s departure was recent. 

 

 

Yes they do try TO follow the rules they are given.  BTW I have an amazimg CAS rep.  She is fantastic!

[Sand and Seas]

When calling CAS on the regular phone number, I have gotten lucky with newbie agents who are willing to bypass the 'offers' listed on my account by going to their supervisor for permission. The supervisor can authorize special cabins like a B1 Aft or a M6 Club with large balcony.

 

This only works if you have a decent playing history.  They are looking for consistency over last three or more cruises.  If you don't like what they offer you, just say you will wait to book.  Then call back another day.  Patience may be required 😉

(I miss May too!)

[smillerholmes]

On 4/28/2024 at 2:13 PM, UKstages said:

were you actually charged this fee? as long as i've been getting a casino sponsored package of minutes, it has always said there was a $3.95 fee. it's baked into the app interface. but i've never been charged. not once.

The fee does actually show up on my bill as it stands right now.  I spoke to the Casino Host(ess) and she stated that the fee is definitely one of the charges that will be waived - so thanks for saying something because I wasn't going to fight about $3.95 - I was just going to let it annoy me and it would forever remain a tick mark on NCL's soul.  

[itsnotjustme]

On 4/29/2024 at 3:08 PM, Sand and Seas said:

If you don't like what they offer you, just say you will wait to book.  Then call back another day. 

I am fairly new to CAS but have booked one cruise through them which was a comped 7-day inside (plus $20/person/day fee) which we upgraded to a club balcony. We take that cuise this fall. 

 

I was planning to book at 12-night Asia cruise, and through Ryan was twice told 20% off on an ocean view or Balcony.  One of those times was just last week.  I went to book it a few days ago, and a woman I have not spoken to before told me 10%.  I noted twice being told 20% and was told I only qualify for 10%.

 

No thanks.

 

My TA was offering free pre-paid gratuities (worth $480) and 10 airline miles per dollar of cruise fare (worth nearly $1,000).  That is worth much more than 10% off.

[Sand and Seas]

56 minutes ago, itsnotjustme said:

I am fairly new to CAS but have booked one cruise through them which was a comped 7-day inside (plus $20/person/day fee) which we upgraded to a club balcony. We take that cuise this fall. 

 

I was planning to book at 12-night Asia cruise, and through Ryan was twice told 20% off on an ocean view or Balcony.  One of those times was just last week.  I went to book it a few days ago, and a woman I have not spoken to before told me 10%.  I noted twice being told 20% and was told I only qualify for 10%.

 

No thanks.

 

My TA was offering free pre-paid gratuities (worth $480) and 10 airline miles per dollar of cruise fare (worth nearly $1,000).  That is worth much more than 10% off.

Free pre-paid DSC is a nice deal!  

As for the 10 or 20% off, that is a perfect example of getting different answers from different agents.  Since it's for a twelve day and you haven't taken your fall cruise yet, I would guess that's why they are just giving you a percent off offer.   

 

Was you fall comped cruise a certificate from a land based casino?  Or was it a direct comp from CAS?  If you are looking to see if they will give you another comp, I would suggest you call back after your next cruise.  Then they will have a little more info on how you play per cruise.  It will probably be easier to get a comp on a 7 day than a 12 day.   When you are just beginning with CAS, they will probably only let you have one comped cruise on the books at a time.